On top of so many things, we are thankful to our families and the community for your continued readership of this weekly newsletter. We hope you enjoy checking out this edition. The newsletter will return Friday, Dec. 2.

Save the dates! The Clarke County School District is pleased to announce the dates, times, and locations for the Class of 2023 high school graduation ceremonies.

The festivities will kick off with the Classic City High graduation at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 25, in the Vernon Payne Meeting Hall at the CCSD administrative offices building, 595 Prince Ave., Athens.

The Cedar Shoals High and Clarke Central High ceremonies will again be held at Stegeman Coliseum, 100 Smith St., Athens, on the campus of the University of Georgia, on Friday, May 26. The Cedar Shoals ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the Clarke Central ceremony at 2 p.m.

Schools will provide seniors with further details, including graduation practice dates and times and other ceremony information.

Our seniors continue to work hard every day to finish their high school careers strong, and we look forward to celebrating with them in May!

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, Kalli and Dillon rank Thanksgiving foods and dish on other topics. Plus, the duo takes on Producer Alex's flag quiz in preparation for the World Cup, which begins this weekend.

In addition to the CCSD YouTube channel, "Studio 595" is available for listening on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, and iHeartRadio.

The OMG received numerous awards, including two top-10 placements in the Best of Show category, and multiple individual awards for Story of the Year, Best Use of Social Media, Cartoon of the Year and Broadcast Story of the Year. The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine was also recognized as a Pacemaker finalist.

The iliad also took home many individual awards for Best Use of Social Media, Best of Show Design and Design of the Year. In addition, it won first place in Best in Show for Literary-Art Magazine.

Read more here.

Classic City High was recently among 50 high schools in Georgia selected to participate in Cinema Drive, a 3D simulated safe-driving program. Students participated Friday, Nov. 11.

Cinema Drive is a sophisticated 3D virtual driver education system that creates a real-world experience for youth new to driving. Students engage in interactive learning on several driving issues, including texting, speeding, alcohol/opioid impairment, and hazardous conditions. In addition, students interact with screens as if they are in the video to learn the dangers and "feel" the effects of crashes.

The program is part of the Life Changing Experiences Community Education Project, a resource offered by North Carolina-based The Children and Parent Resource Group. Cinema Drive presentations in Georgia are fully funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Check out the video below for a Cinema Drive presentation.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law established to help support the enrollment and success of homeless students. The CCSD McKinney-Vento Program aims to remove barriers and improve educational opportunities for children in transition.

So far this school year, the CCSD McKinney-Vento Program, formerly called HEP (Homeless Education Program), has served 337 students from 155 families in need across the district. Common barriers that students in transition face include a lack of reliable and consistent transportation, limited access to health care, lack of educational continuity, lack of dedicated personal space after school, and food insecurity.

Click here to learn more about the program. If you believe you or someone you know may be eligible for the McKinney-Vento program, contact one of our district liaisons:

Dr. Angela E. Pope

Lead Social Worker

706-546-7721, ext. 79410

popea@clarke.k12.ga.us

Chrystal Gillis

Director of School Social Work

706-614-3745

gillisc@clarke.k12.ga.us

Jessica Reynolds

Resource Assistant

706-546-7721, ext. 79620

reynoldsj2@clarke.k12.ga.us

The Georgia Student Finance Commission has partnered with the University System of Georgia (USG), the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), private institutions, and Georgia Military College to provide application fee waivers to Georgia high school seniors during Georgia Apply to College Month.

More than 40 colleges and universities have agreed to waive their application fees for high school seniors between Nov. 1-30.

Click here to read the full press release and here to see the list of colleges and universities offering waivers, as well as the application links.

For a slideshow of Peru information, please click here or scan the QR below. For questions, email sparksl@clarke.k12.ga.us to set up a Zoom session or plan a face-to-face meeting.

The Department of Family and Community Engagement hosted its third Family University session of the year, "Restorative Practices," on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

A panel of educators, district administrators, and representatives from the Georgia Conflict Center discussed restorative practices and how they are currently implemented in CCSD schools.

Check out the video of the session below.

CCSD is now hiring bus drivers. Hourly pay ranges from $18-$26, and we offer part-time and full-time schedules, a $1,500 signing bonus (for full-time employment), and full benefits. It's a rewarding and flexible career move.

Click here to see what's waiting for you behind the wheel!

Please click here to view this information. You can also go to CCSD's main site at clarke.k12.ga.us, go to the "I Want To" tab at the top of the page, and select “Ask a Question/Submit a Concern.”

As a reminder, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations are available at the Hilsman Health Center. Call 706-546-7463 to make an appointment. The center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30-11:30 a.m. on Friday.